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Chris Miller

Editor | Pro sports
Phone: 612-673-4428

Chris Miller supervises coverage of professional sports teams. He has been at the Star Tribune since 1999 and is a former sports editor of the Duluth News-Tribune and the Mesabi Daily News.

Recent content from Chris Miller
Rookie guard Rob Dillingham poses for a portrait during Timberwolves Media Day at Target Center on Sept. 30.

Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and Timberwolves start a crowded slate of preseason games

Rookie guard Rob Dillingham had an impressive preseason debut as he backs up veteran Mike Conley.
Matt Cullen had two stints with the Wild on his way to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Matt Cullen heads Class of 2024 for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

Brianna Decker, Kevin Stevens, Frederic McLaughlin and the 2002 sled hockey team are also set to join the Eveleth shrine.
Max Plante, ranked 43rd among North American skaters, played for the U.S. National Development Team in 2023-24.

Here are the top-ranked Minnesotans eligible for NHL draft

NHL Central Scouting ranks players ahead of next weekend's draft in Las Vegas.
Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) lays the ball in past Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first quarter of a first-round NBA playoff game at Ta

Durant gets his 31 points but was a one-man show in Game 1

The Suns' Devin Booker got in foul trouble during a first half that featured a lot of contact.
Twins' Opening Day roster features familiar faces in 2024

Twins' Opening Day roster features familiar faces in 2024

The loss of Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda cost the Twins pitching depth but much of the offensive power from late last season returns.
Pucks just haven’t been going in so far this season for Wild winger Matt Boldy.

Wild's Boldy battles scoring slump: 'Not playing great'

The struggling Wild play nine times in 17 days as they try to move up in the standings.
The Astros beat the Twins on Tuesday afternoon before a sellout crowd at Target Field.

Updated Twins playoff schedule: Game time and ticket info, weather forecast

The Rangers swept the Orioles, so the Twins will play Game 4 and Game 5, if necessary, at night.
José Abreu belted two home runs for the Astros on Tuesday at Target Field.

ALDS Game 3 recap: Astros 9, Twins 1

Houston first baseman José Abreu had two home runs, both of which went more than 440 feet, and five RBI, an Astros postseason single-game record.
Twins pitcher Pablo López celebrated a strikeout during Sunday’s victory in Houston.

ALDS Game 2 recap: Twins 6, Astros 2

Pablo López pitched seven shutout innings for the Twins, striking out seven and giving up just six hits to the defending World Series champion Astros.
Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and Royce Lewis are three of the players who could have the biggest impact in the Twins-Astros AL Division Series that begi

Twins vs. Astros: Playoff roster breakdown, Star Tribune ALDS prediction

A position-by-position comparison of the Twins and Astros shows which team has the edge in the best-of-five series that starts Saturday in Houston.
Dusty Baker managed the Houston Astros to the World Series title in 2022.

6 things to know about the Astros, the Twins' (familiar) foe in next round

The defending World Series champion Houston Astros are next up in the American League Division Series. How the twins did against them in the regular season and more.
Royce Lewis, José Berrios and Jhoan Duran are likely to have a big impact on the outcome of the wild-card series between the Twins and Blue Jays.

Playoff edge? Twins vs. Blue Jays roster breakdown, series prediction

A position-by-position breakdown of the Twins and Blue Jays shows which team has the edge in the American League wild-card series at Target Field.
Twins players were glum during a 2020 playoff loss to the Astros at Target Field.

Fields of nightmares: How the Twins lost their last 18 playoff games

Misfortune has followed the team since 2004, when they were on the verge of taking a two-game lead over the Yankees in the American League Division Series. Then things took a turn for the worse — and have not turned back.
Baseball’s postseason returns to Target Field, giving Carlos Correa more opportunities to say hello to fans.

Twins playoff schedule: Wild-card games, ticket updates and more

The Twins will host a best-of-three wild-card series at Target Field against the Blue Jays starting Tuesday. Here's the schedule and ticket information.
Kyle Farmer homered for the Twins when they played the Astros at Target Field on April 8.

Twins will play Toronto in wild-card series that begins Tuesday at Target Field

The Astros won the AL West on the final day of the season, elevating the defending World Series champions to the league's No. 2 seed.
Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa celebrates in the dugout after scoring when Matt Wallner reached on a fielding error by Chicago White Sox first baseman

Twins roster brings a breadth of playoff experience to postseason

Twenty of the Twins' players have postseason games under their belts, five of which have World Series rings.
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (27) celebrates with third base coach Tommy Watkins (40) after hitting a home run in the second inning against th

Twins playoff tracker: Division title could come tonight

The Guardians and Tigers have faint, faint hopes of catching the Twins for the division title — if both lose Thursday, Minnesota clinches the Central.
Henry Boucha, the former North Star player, with his son, J.P. For the hockey in Minnesota installment of the sports millenium series. — Henry Bouch

Henry Boucha, legend of Minnesota hockey from Warroad, dies at 72

The Warroad High School star was an Olympic medal winner who played professionally and became a Minnesota hockey icon. He remained involved in hockey and Native American activism in recent years.
Wild General Manager Bill Guerin will add the title of president of hockey operations.

Wild GM Guerin named team's president of hockey operations

Team President Matt Majka was promoted to CEO of the team's umbrella company.
After winning the 2017 WNBA title, the Lynx starters —Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus, and Rebekkah Brunson — posed wi

Who's on the list? Ranking the Top 25 players in Minnesota Lynx history

The WNBA team is celebrating its 25th season this weekend and chose the Top 25 players in Lynx history. Using a list created by the team, the Star Tribune ranked the best of the best.
Denver’s Aaron Gordon dunked on Rudy Gobert in January.

Wolves vs. Denver, Round 1: Who has the edge?

Position-by-position breakdown of the intriguing first-round playoff matchup between the Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets:
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, above vs. the  New Orleans Pelicans on April  9, will try to lead his  team over Oklahoma City on Friday night in

Wolves' Gobert hopes to return for must-win game vs. Thunder

The Wolves won three of four games against Oklahoma City during the regular season.
Kirill Kaprizov participated in his first Wild practice Wednesday since suffering a lower-body injury on March 8.

Kaprizov wears 'caution jersey' at Wild practice. How close is return?

Kaprizov participated in his first practice Wednesday since suffering a lower-body injury on March 8. The yellow caution jersey was a sign to teammates for no physical contact.
The Penguins’ Ryan Poehling, a former St. Cloud State center from Lakeville, collided with Devils goalie Vitek Vanecek during a Tuesday loss.

Wild face Penguins team seeking to extend long playoff streak

Pittsburgh has been in the past 17 Stanley Cup playoffs, but currently is on the outside looking in this season.
Meet the 2023 Twins: A veteran mix of familiar faces, fresh talent

Meet the 2023 Twins: A veteran mix of familiar faces, fresh talent

Two things needed after the struggles of last year: More experience and improved versatility. Combine that with the healthy return of several players and the result is a very different roster.
Some of the best players on the best teams in the American League in 2023 (clockwise from top left): the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, the Blue Jays’ Alek

American League power rankings: Astros shine ... and where are Twins?

The defending World Series champions also have a power-laden batting order, including the addition of Jose Abreu, as they prepare to defend their title.
Four of the key players for the 2023 National League season (clockwise from top left): Mets SP Justin Verlander, Dodgers 1B Freddie Freeman, Padres OF

National League power rankings: Can Mets thrive without Diaz?

With Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer at the top of the rotation, New York should have the key ingredient to a great season — but an injury to star closer Edwin Diaz isn't ideal.
Kirill Kaprizov will miss three to four weeks with a lower-body injury.

Wild optimistically move on without Kirill Kaprizov

The team's leading scorer is out because of an injury, but linemate Mats Zuccarello said, "That's part of hockey."
San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson is headed toward a 100-point season.

Struggling Sharks have two wins over Wild heading into last matchup of season

San Jose defenseman Erik Karlsson is shooting to become the first NHL defenseman in the 21st century to get 100 points.
Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (shown vs. Calgary on Tuesday) will miss three to four weeks because of a lower-body injury.

Kaprizov's injury, three-to-four week absence, will shuffle Wild's offense

The record-setting All-Star winger has a lower-body injury after an awkward check in Wednesday's game. Sammy Walker was called up from Iowa.
Twins utility players Jerry Kindall, left, and Sandy Valdespino during spring training in 1965 in Orlando, Fla.

Former Twins outfielder Sandy Valdespino dies at age 84

After a long stint in the minor leagues, he broke into the big time with the Twins' 1965 World Series team.
Alex Kirilloff fielded a ground ball in spring training. The first baseman made his 2023 debut with the Twins on Saturday.

Baseball's new rules: Your 20-second guide to the changes on the field

Faster games and more action — that's the hope attached to the rule changes that start today as spring training games get underway.
Mats Zuccarello will sit out at least two Wild games because of an upper body injury.

Injury shuffle: Zuccarello out, Duhaime back in Wild lineup

Brandon Duhaime has missed the past 18 games, while Mats Zuccarello suffered an injury Wednesday against Tampa Bay.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to drive against the Wolves when they last played on Nov. 4. The two teams meet again on Friday.

Timberwolves hope to break four-game losing streak vs. Bucks

The Wolves are in a slump, but to end it, they have to try to beat the Central Division leaders.
Edina native and former Gophers captain Sammy Walker will play in his sixth NHL game on Thursday for the Wild.

Wild rookie Walker puts on a showcase in December debut

Native Minnesotan Sammy Walker was called up earlier than he — or anyone — expected to patch up a depleted forward corps.
Coming off a win against the Jets, the Wild have won seven of their past eight games as they prepare to face division leader Dallas on Thursday.

Wild to face Central Division-leading Stars and their strong special teams

The Wild have won seven of eight heading into the game at Xcel Energy Center.
Marcus Foligno of the Wild scored against Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck on Nov. 23 at Xcel Energy Center.

Walker, Beckman, Sustr called up by Wild

Marcus Foligno went on injured reserve before the team flew to Winnipeg
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla directs his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Sunday, Dec. 18, 20

Wolves-Boston preview: Despite slumps, Celtics have NBA's second-best record

After a hot start, Boston has lost five of six as it heads into Friday's matchup against the Wolves at TD Garden.
Ja Morant had a triple-double as Memphis beat the Knicks on Monday night. The Grizzlies play at Target Center on Wednesday.

Wolves to meet Morant, Memphis in rematch of playoff series

The Timberwolves will be without injured Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Grizzlies are without Desmond Bane.
Guard Bradley Beal leads the Wizards in scoring at 23.1 points per game.

Timberwolves-Washington game preview: Stopping three top scorers

Even with three players averaging 20-plus points, the Wizards are next to last in the NBA in scoring.
Tyrese Haliburton is Indiana’s leading scorer. The Pacers play host to the Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Timberwolves-Indiana game preview: Pacers off to strong start

The Wolves, however, have won four in a row heading into Wednesday's game in Indianapolis.
Former Minnehaha Academy and Gonzaga star Jalen Suggs is part of the Orlando Magic’s rebuild.

Timberwolves-Orlando game preview: Magic without No. 1 pick in draft

Forward Paolo Banchero has a sprained ankle entering Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
Memphis guard Ja Morant drove between Jaden McDaniels (3) and Karl Anthony-Towns (32) of the Timberwolves in Game 6 of last season’s first-round pla

Timberwolves gameday: Morant, Grizzlies set for Friday-night battle

The Wolves and Grizzlies meet for the first time Friday since their hard-fought first-round playoff series last April. Memphis won it 4-2.
Wild players celebrated a goal by Joseph Cramarossa during Wednesday’s game in Anaheim.

Wild gameday: Kraken has won five in a row, including shutout at Xcel

Seattle has emerged as an early NHL power in its second season in the league.
Devin Booker of the Suns battled the Sixers’ P.J. Tucker for a rebound Monday night in Philadelphia. Phoenix plays the Timberwolves on Wednesday at

Wolves-Phoenix game preview: Four-game homestand ends

The Suns will be without Cam Johnson, who had surgery Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus.
Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (22) attempts a shot against the Minnesota Wild Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul,

Wild-Los Angeles game preview: Another reunion with Fiala

Former Wild forward Kevin Fiala is tied with Gabe Vilardi for the Kings' team lead with 14 points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks seem ready to challenge for another NBA title.

Wolves gameday: Bucks have NBA's best record, defensive rating

Milwaukee started the season with seven consecutive victories despite missing two key players.
Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns had a discussion during the Timberwolves’ loss at San Antonio on Sunday.

Timberwolves-Phoenix game preview: No Ayton-Gobert matchup

Suns center Deandre Ayton has a sprained ankle and will be out for the nationally televised game Tuesday night at Footprint Center.
Kyle Anderson comes to the Timberwolves from Memphis, where he was a regular in the rotation.

Timberwolves restock their roster with veteran faces

Kyle Anderson, Austin Rivers and Bryn Forbes joined the biggest acquisition, Rudy Gobert.
This is the first full Twin Cities Marathon field since 2019. Julia Kohnen won the women’s division that sunny October day.

Twin Cities Marathon is today: Here are 10 things to know

How and when to watch, and what to know about marathon day in the Twin Cities, which also includes a high-profile 10-mile race.
Runners will pack downtown Minneapolis again early Sunday morning, for the start of the 10 Mile (7 a.m.) and Twin Cities Marathon (8 a.m.).

What to know about Twin Cities Marathon, TC 10 Mile this Sunday

Two big races start in downtown Minneapolis and end in St. Paul on one eventful morning. Here's what you need to know about Sunday's race day:
Lynx center Sylvia Fowles led the league in field-goal percentage (.622) and averaged 14.4 points per game in her 15th and final season in 2022.

Lynx center Fowles named to All-WNBA second team

Retiring after 15 seasons, Sylvia Fowles has been an all-league selection eight times during her career.
Jocelyne, left, and Monique Lamoureux at the 2013 media summit in Salt Lake City.

Lamoureux sisters among five new members headed for U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

The Lamoureuxs were college and Olympic stars for the United States, and join Ryan Miller, Steve Cash and Jim Johannson in the Class of 2022.
Lynx center Sylvia Fowles blocked a shot from Seattle’s Tina Charles during a game on Aug. 12.

Lynx center Sylvia Fowles named to WNBA's all-defensive first team

The former league champion and Olympic gold medalist played her final season in 2022.
Anthony Edwards of the Wolves, right, was defended by Herbert Jones of New Orleans during a game last season.

Wolves open NBA season with home games against Thunder, Jazz

The season opener on Oct. 19 could be the NBA debut of Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren.
Davante Adams joined the Raiders after an All-Pro stint with the Packers.

Preseason game preview: Vikings at Raiders

Minnesota's Kevin O'Connell and Vegas' Josh McDaniels make their coaching debuts with their new teams.
Sam Rinzel pulled on the Blackhawks jersey after Chicago took him 25th overall at the NHL draft Thursday in Montreal.

Nine Minnesotans drafted. Who they are and where they're going

Jimmy Snuggerud and Sam Rinzel were first round selections, and seven others were chosen on Friday. Six have committed to Minnesota college teams.
Liam Ohgren was taken by the Wild with the No. 19 pick in the first round.

Meet the Wild's first-round draft picks

Liam Ohgren was taken at No. 19 and Danila Yurov was nabbed with the 24th pick.
Vermont commit Alex Bump of Prior Lake High School is ranked No. 63 in the North American skater rankings by NHL Central Scouting.

Sweet 16: Top Minnesota prospects in this week's NHL draft

Three Minnesotans are in the top 20 North Americans in the rankings — and all of them have committed to play college hockey for the Gophers.
Wendell Moore Jr.

Welcome to the pack: Four new faces in Timberwolves' 2022 draft class

A closer look at the players and their stats.
Colorado shortstop Jose Iglesias is hitting .303.

Twins vs. Colorado preview: Rockies are struggling

Colorado is 30-40, coming off a sweep at the hands of Miami.

Wednesday's Twins-Seattle game recap

Ryan Jeffers had two hits and drove in the game's first run.
Tampa Bay first baseman Ji-Man Choi, left, and third baseman Yandy Diaz celebrated their three-game series sweep of St. Louis on Thursday.

Twins-Rays series preview: Tampa Bay among best MLB pitching

The Rays are challenging in the American League East despite being without a large number of injured pitchers.
Jose Berrios started his career with the Twins before they traded him to Toronto last year for prospects.

Twins preview: Toronto on tap as road trip continues

The Blue Jays are in second place in the powerful American League East.
Jorge Polanco

Series preview: Kansas City Royals at Twins

The teams are set to play four games at Target Field.
Minnesota Twins pitcher Devin Smeltzer throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, May 14,

Twins-Kansas City series preview: AL Central gantlet continues

The first-place Twins have a three-game lead over second-place Chicago, and play either Detroit or KC in their next 15 games.
Cleveland Guardians’ Josh Naylor celebrated his game-tying grand slam off Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks during the ninth inning Mon

Series preview: Cleveland visits Twins minus coaches in COVID protocol

Manager Terry Francona is among the group; still, slugger Josh Naylor will need attention

Game 5 recap: St. Louis 5, Wild 2

Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko had a natural hat trick in the third period, which started with the teams tied 2-2.
Alex Bregman celebrated after a home run Sunday as the Astros completed a 7-0 homestand.

Twins-Astros preview: Three-game series at Target Field

The teams have the same record, although the Twins are in first place in the AL Central and Houston is second in the AL West.
Josh Winder beat the Rays in Tampa by throwing six scoreless innings on Sunday.

Twins-Athletics game preview: Josh Winder shoots for second consecutive victory

The rookie righthander entered the rotation when Sonny Gray went on the injured list.
Joel Eriksson Ek of the Wild celebrated his first period goal Wednesday night at Xcel Energy Center.

Wednesday's Wild-St. Louis game recap

Kirill Kaprizov netted the Wild's first playoff hat trick in team history.
David Perron of the Blues celebrated his second goal on Monday night.

Game recap: St. Louis 4, Wild 0

The Blues had the edge in special teams and rolled past the host Wild in Game 1 of the NHL playoff series.
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) prepares for a cross by Minnesota Wild right wing Brandon Duhaime (21) in the first period of the 20

Playoff preview: Here's how the Wild and Blues match up

St. Louis won all three regular-season meetings between these two offensively gifted teams. But the Wild is favored in tonight's series opener at the X.
Miguel Cabrera celebrated after his 3,000th major league hit on Saturday in Detroit.

Twins-Tigers preview: Cabrera arrives after 3,000-hit milestone

A weekend sweep of the White Sox moved the Twins into first place in the American League Central.
The White Sox lost to the Guardians on Thursday afternoon.

Twins-White Sox preview: Twins pitchers are hot, hitters are not

The Twins are struggling at the plate, but their starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 2.80.